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UPDATE:July, 14, 2017-Seasonal closure in the area of Tunnel 2 in Clear Creek Canyon is lifted, effective immediately. This opens access to Highlander, Tetanus Garden, and Evil Wall. All other seasonal closures are still active.

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites, the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

As always, contact the Public Information Team at or p2ptrail@publicinfoteam.com for more information. You can also check out the project blog at peaks2plains.wordpress.com.

Description

Here is another excellent route by the master of excellent routes, Ken Trout. Balkan Dirt Diving begins in the middle of The Sports Wall in a smooth yellow plate bounded by a corner on the right.

Balkan Dirt Diving, like Generation Gap, delivers its crux right away. A thin seam move and a pair of clips leads quickly to a tricky traverse straight right into a shallow, left-facing corner. Hitting the corner dusts the crux at 5.12a. Chase a few bolts on excellent edges to a small roof that can be pulled on the left. Save the TCUs for the horrizontal jams above; the anchor is right above.

Three stars for the high quality stone, good climbing moves, variety, and continuity. Welcome to Clear Creek!!

Protection

QDs only. The route is 75 - 80 feet long and needs 6 - 8 draws and a pair of small TCUs or #1 Camalot for the upper section before the anchor.

Really nice route. One note though: the beginning (especially getting off the ground) is very height-dependent. I'm 5'7" with a plus two ape index, and I was fine, but my wife who is two inches shorter, with a minus one, simply could not reach the left hand from the ground. The only way to have started would've been with a cheater stone, or pull 12c moves.
Mar 24, 2014

Helps to have a long draw on the second to last bolt (not needed on the last bolt on the R-facing wall at the last roof). I used a #4 Metolius in the vertical slot, easily reached once established above the last roof. However, I added a #2 Metolius (had the gear with me anyway) in a horizontal as a directional, b/c the rope pulls quite a bit around the corner. Really, there's nothing hard after the roof, but the piece is comforting. P.S.: the climb is not over after the 2nd bolt.
Aug 30, 2012

Fun route and with a tough first move! I think this move is hard for 12a, but given that it's the first move and you can do it again and again until you get it, then send the rest, it makes it 12a, as the rest of the route isn't nearly so hard (though still stout!).

I love the thin techy moves down low and the bigger, burlier moves up top. Fun stuff with a nice mix.

I put a BD #1 C3 in up top, though really, once you pull the lip, you should really fall since the stances are good and you can lean into the wall to rest....
Sep 1, 2010

Great route with moves not often encountered in Clear Creek. A little heady at the top if you don't protect beyond the last bolt but the upper stuff is in the .8 range. Great technical sequence on the bottom and nice pump out to pull through the roofs. Can't wait to redpoint it.
Jun 4, 2007